Max shook her head and stared down into her coffee that tasted horrible. "I just don't get how that guy knows what's up in the world."
"Like I said," Logan replied. "With the way John lives, he can see things that no one else can."
"But how?" She asked. "I mean, it's not like he can blend in and shoot the cow with any old average citizen out there."
Logan smirked at her misusage of the phrase. "I agree that John can't shoot the... cow with anyone any time, but people feel as if they can talk about anything in front of him because of his... unique appearance, thinking that he's just an idiot who can't find a job."
"All right." She paused. "So how did he find out about Lempkin and how does he get his information? The guy's not exactly going home and pulling a Logan."
"Pulling a Logan?" He asked, his face scrunching up.
She smiled at him. "You know, computer magic."
"Ah."
"All I'm saying is I just don't get it." She sighed. "Well, I would tell you that I should be dropping you off at home and getting my ass back to work, but... I don't want to."
"What would you like to do then?"
"Well," She said and looked around the dingy diner they were in. "First I say we ditch this soup stand - what? What is that look for? I haven't even finished yet."
"Nothing." Logan smiled. "Nothing."
* * * *
Max walked into Crash, a confident smile on her face. She walked down the stairs from the entrance, then stopped at the last stair and looked back up. She chuckled to herself as Logan walked through the door and finally joined her.
"Not your sort of dive?" She asked.
"Not exactly." He said, looking around. "But it's not so bad."
"Glad to hear it." She said, then looked toward the pool table to see if her friends were there. "Come on, there's some people I want you to meet."
Before he could say anything, she took his hand and weaved expertly through the people in the bar. They eventually reached the pool table and her friends. He looked at all of them before they noticed him, wondering what they would think of him. He wondered why he cared if they cared. After all, it wasn't like he and Max were dating. His brow furrowed in confusion. Or were they?
"Hey." Max greeted.
A blonde turned to face them and Logan couldn't read her expression. She looked at him blankly for a moment, then looked at Max and smiled. She raised her eyebrows, then slowly walked over to the two people at the pool table. Logan watched her say something to them, then another woman followed the blonde over to them, leaving the man by the pool table alone.
"Who's your friend?" The blonde asked Max while eyeing up Logan.
"This is Logan." Max told her. "Logan, this is Kendra and Original Cindy."
"Nice to meet you." Logan said, unsure about just about everything. He knew his name was Logan and that was good enough for him.
"Huh." Original Cindy said; she hadn't been greeted like that in a long while. "Nice to meet you too, Logan."
"Oh!" Kendra said and slapped her forehead gently. "Max, Sketchy wanted me to tell you that once you got here, he was gonna kick your ass at pool. He told me to tell you that once you got here so he could, I think his words were, show you who's boss."
"Really?" Max said. "Well, I'll be right back then."
She gave Logan a small smile, then made her way to the pool table where Sketchy was waiting. Kendra and Original Cindy watched her go, then turned to Logan. They looked him over extensively, then both moved to stand at either of his sides.
"So, you're the guy Max told us about, huh?" Original Cindy asked.
"If the guy's name was Logan, then yes."
"Well, it was, so he is you." Kendra replied. "So, how long have you known Max?"
"About a couple of weeks, I guess."
"You're not sure?" Original Cindy asked, then grabbed his hands and checked them for rings. "Why aren't you sure?"
"I'm sure it has been a couple of weeks." Logan told her.
"How've those couple of weeks been going?" Kendra asked as she inspected his jacket. "You've been seeing each other regularly, correct?"
"Yeah..." He replied, unsure of where this was all going. My name's Logan.
"So, Max is a great girl." Original Cindy said. "I bet you two have had dinner a few times, right?"
"Some."
"What's your past history?" Kendra asked as she peered into one of the pockets of his jocket. "Good? Bad? What? Rate yourself on a scale from one to ten on your dating history, one being the worst and ten being the best."
"Look -"
"Answer the question." Kendra said, serious.
"I don't know, eight, but -"
"Eight?" Kendra repeated, then leaned slightly to look at Original Cindy. "Is eight good?"
"She normally dates fours, so yeah." OC shrugged.
They moved away from his sides and stood in front of him. They stared at him for a moment, then Original Cindy began, "Look here, if you hurt our girl we will kill you."
"But first we'll pull one big Bobbit on you." Kendra added.
"We really don't want to have to do that."
"Too messy." Kendra nodded.
"Look, maybe I -"
"Original Cindy doesn't recall telling you that it was your turn to speak." OC wagged a finger at him. "Now, we will be watching you."
"Closely." Kendra said.
"So watch what you're doing." OC finished.
Sketchy and Max rejoined them, Max smiling about her victory. She looked from her friends to Logan, confused. "What's going on?"
"Nothing." OC smiled. "We were just talking with Logan here."
"About?" Max inquired.
"Nothing special." Kendra told her.
"Hmm. Suddenly I'm not in a Crash mood anymore." Max said slowly, starting to realize just what her friends had probably doing. She turned to Logan. "I could go for some coffee, how about you?"
"My place?"
Max thought for a moment. "Nah, how about mine for a change?"
"All right." Logan nodded.
Max said good-bye to her friends, then the two made their way to the exit. After watching them leave, Kendra turned to Original Cindy.
"Can I crash at your place tonight? I so do not want to hear them banging the gong all night long."